Discipleship has always been at the heart of the Church’s mission, but the way we disciple people has changed.

In today’s fast-paced, mobile-driven world, people are constantly distracted. Church members are juggling family, work, and screens—and they're not always physically present midweek. That’s why digital discipleship isn’t just an option anymore it’s a necessity.

Thankfully, there are powerful tools that can help your church stay connected, equip believers, and foster spiritual growth no matter where they are.

Here are 11 digital discipleship tools every modern church should be using and how to use them effectively for real-life transformation.

1. SocialGlow – All-in-One Community + Course Platform for Churches

At the top of the list is SocialGlow, a purpose-built platform for churches that want to bring discipleship, community, and content delivery together in one seamless experience.

✅ Why it matters:
Discipleship thrives where people are engaged, challenged, and supported, and SocialGlow delivers all three through:

• 📚 Unlimited courses and Bible studies
• 📱 A distraction-free mobile app
• 🧠 Community groups with real discussion
• 🎯 Gamification (points, leaderboards, challenges)
• 📝 Custom tracking forms for prayer, check-ins, and growth
• 📆 Automation to schedule content, devotionals, and prompts
• 📹 Fast, secure video hosting

👉 Click here to book a 15-minute demo and see it in action.

2. YouVersion Bible App

One of the most widely used apps among Christians, YouVersion makes Bible reading accessible, social, and mobile.

✅ Best for:

• Daily scripture reading
• Group Bible reading plans
• Scripture image sharing

🔄 Pro Tip: Use YouVersion for daily reading, and link the discussion to your private group in SocialGlow for engagement and accountability.

3. Canva (Pro or Free)

Discipleship isn’t just what you say, it’s how you communicate. Canva helps you create beautiful, on-brand graphics for sermons, devotionals, announcements, and group messages.

✅ Best for:

• Creating devotional quote cards
• Designing social media content
• Making slide decks or PDFs for your studies

💡 Bonus: SocialGlow integrates with Canva so you can drop in your designs directly into your groups or lessons.

4. SermonAudio or Your Church’s Podcast Host

On-demand access to sermons is essential for spiritual formation. Hosting your messages online allows people to revisit, share, or catch up anytime.

✅ Best for:

• Equipping small groups with message-based discussions
• Creating sermon-based reflection questions
• Extending your reach beyond Sunday

📦 With SocialGlow, you can embed these sermon episodes right into your weekly courses or discussion groups.

5. Loom or Zoom (Video Recording/Meetings)

Short, personal videos build connection—especially during the week. Use Loom for quick teaching videos or leader check-ins. Use Zoom for live small group sessions or Q&As.

✅ Best for:

• Midweek video devotionals
• Volunteer training
• Real-time discipleship conversations

📹 SocialGlow supports both live-streaming and embedded videos so you can easily integrate these tools into your platform.

6. Mailchimp or Email Automation Tools

Email still works. A well-crafted devotional, prayer prompt, or encouragement email can keep someone engaged all week.

✅ Best for:

• Weekly discipleship newsletters
• Course reminders
• Personalized growth journeys

📬 SocialGlow replaces the need for outside email tools by letting you schedule and automate messages directly inside groups with push notifications and alerts built in.

7. Planning Center / Church Management System (ChMS)

While not a content tool, a good ChMS helps you stay organized so that digital discipleship can be personal. Keep track of who’s involved, attending, or needing follow-up.

✅ Best for:

• Small group rosters
• Volunteer scheduling
• Pastoral care notes

👥 Use SocialGlow alongside your ChMS to create automated discipleship environments that still feel deeply relational.

8. Trello / Asana (or Google Sheets)

These project management tools help leaders stay on top of discipleship pathways, lesson creation, and tracking who’s being followed up with.

✅ Best for:

• Organizing course creation
• Tracking who’s assigned to disciple whom
• Mapping out spiritual growth tracks

📊 For a more automated system, SocialGlow’s tracking forms let you collect check-ins and progress without needing a spreadsheet.

9. RightNow Media

A massive library of Christian video content, RightNow Media is great for launching small group series or Bible study tracks.

✅ Best for:

• Pre-built discipleship curriculums
• Small group discussion starters
• Topical studies

🎓 While you can’t create your own course inside RightNow Media, you can embed their content into SocialGlow and build discussions and challenges around them.

10. Google Forms / Typeform

For quick feedback or surveys, forms are helpful, but for deeper discipleship accountability, you need more integration.

✅ Best for:

• Gathering feedback after events
• Spiritual interest surveys
• Quick sign-ups

📝 But here’s the edge: SocialGlow’s built-in tracking forms do everything a Google Form does inside your groups, with member tracking and follow-up tools.

11. ChatGPT (Or AI Study Assistants)

AI can support pastors and leaders with study planning, scripture research, and lesson development, saving time and improving quality.

✅ Best for:

• Creating lesson outlines
• Generating discussion questions
• Brainstorming sermon series ideas

🧠 Combine this with your SocialGlow content structure to deliver rich, contextual studies without reinventing the wheel every week.

✅ The New Discipleship Toolbox

The future of discipleship isn’t less spiritual—it’s just more digital.

These tools aren’t here to replace the personal, pastoral heart of your ministry, they’re here to amplify it. With the right tools, your church can:

• Reach more people
• Go deeper in relationships
• Track real spiritual growth
• And stay connected all week long

Want One Platform That Does It All?

Instead of juggling 5 different tools, you can disciple your church using just one:

🎉 SocialGlow combines:

• Community
• Courses
• Automation
• Gamification
• Tracking
• Video
• Support

👉 Book a 15-minute demo and see why churches across the country are calling SocialGlow the “backbone of their discipleship strategy.”

‍